Does Lip Augmentation Hurt?
Posted March 15, 2025 in Lip Lift
Lip augmentation is about more than increasing the volume of your lips. It is about artistry, balance, and the ability to create a look that feels uniquely you. If you’re considering lip augmentation for the first time, it’s natural to wonder if there is any pain involved. Thankfully, advanced tools, techniques, and quality numbing agents ensure the procedure is largely pain-free. This blog explores what to expect with several different lip enhancement options.
What Are My Lip Augmentation Options?
Voluptuous lips are a beauty ideal for many. There are several different types of surgical and non-surgical lip augmentation options that can help you achieve the desirable pout you want. Generally, lip augmentation patients report minimal pain during and after their procedures. From surgical to non-surgical options, many people experience slight pressure, pinching, or low-level discomfort that lasts for a short amount of time.
Let’s explore some of the most popular lip augmentation options that offer customizable shape and volume.
Surgical Lip Augmentation Techniques
Lip Lift
A lip lift is a surgical procedure that reduces the space between the upper lip and your nose, creating a defined and youthful appearance. Before the procedure, your plastic surgeon will administer local anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable. You will experience minimal discomfort after the procedure and during the first few days post-op. You might also experience mild tenderness and swelling, which goes away after a few days.
Fat Transfer Lip Augmentation
This procedure uses fat from another region of your body to boost your lip volume. You will be under local anesthesia throughout the procedure, which takes 60 to 90 minutes. Expect some mild bruising, swelling, and discomfort post-procedure, which typically resolves within a week.
Implants
If you are looking for a more permanent lip transformation, you might want to consider implants. During the initial consultation, your surgeon will help you choose the right implant size for your lips.
Local anesthesia is administered during the procedure to make sure you are comfortable. Your plastic surgeon will then make a small incision in each corner of your mouth and skillfully place the implant in the desired position. They will then close the incisions, and the collagen from the implants will naturally integrate with the surrounding lip tissue. Expect mild discomfort post-op, which you can manage with prescription pain medication.
Non-surgical Lip Enhancement Options
Not ready for the permanent results of surgical lip augmentation? Non-surgical lip enhancement is a more affordable option that can help you achieve the volume you desire.
Injectable Fillers
Injectable fillers are gel-like substances that can add volume to your lips almost instantaneously. Popular options like Restylane®, JUVÉDERM®, and Hylaform® contain hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in the body that can increase lip volume and smooth wrinkles. Your injector will apply a topical numbing cream to reduce discomfort and make the procedure as pain-free as possible. You might experience mild bruising or swelling that will resolve in a few days.
What To Expect During and After Surgical Lip Augmentation
During the Procedure
During a surgical lip augmentation procedure, local anesthesia is typically administered. Whether you’re undergoing a lip lift, fat transfer, or the placement of lip implants, you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. Typically, lip augmentation patients can go home the same day.
During Recovery
After the procedure, you might experience slight swelling or bruising around your lips. The most prominent swelling appears 24 hours after the procedure and subsides gradually, usually a few days to a week post-op. Your surgeon can prescribe pain medication to help alleviate any discomfort you may feel during recovery. Most lip augmentation patients are ready to resume their daily activities after a few days. However, complete healing might take a few weeks.
Does Non-surgical Lip Augmentation Hurt?
Injectable lip fillers are a perfect option for people looking for quick, minimally invasive, and pain-free enhancements. Non-surgical lip augmentation procedures, compared to surgical alternatives, have little to no downtime. While you may experience some minor swelling around the injection site, this tends to fade quickly.
Explore Lip Augmentation Options in Pasadena, CA
If you have been thinking about lip augmentation, pain should be the least of your concerns. Dr. Thomas Taylor and his team provide a compassionate approach to care with advanced tools and techniques to give you the best lip enhancement results possible.
Whether this is your first lip enhancement procedure or you want a touch-up, Taylor Plastic Surgery Center is here to help. Call (626) 577-7730 or fill out our contact form today to learn more and schedule a consultation.
